Joao Fonseca!!!

Vincent-C · Feb 24, 2024

Go, Fed

ghostofMecir · Feb 28, 2024

Nuclear Warhead Sinner said:
Idk about you guys but I suddenly feel Brazilian.

Lool he plays like Sinner but the ball explodes off of his racket even more. There are very few players ever whose ball just sounds different off the racket and Fonseca is one of them. I remember seeing Mark Philippoussis at the USO in 1995 for the first time and the sound the ball made coming off his racket was like Thunder. Fonseca hits so cleanly but also with so much power.

1) Isn’t even 18 yet and has physical maturing to do. Looks like he could be about 6’2 maybe even 6’2.5 when done growing. He also has a nice frame so looks like he can add lean muscle while losing the baby fat.
2) The serve can get a LOT better.
3) Forecourt game and net play can improve a great deal, but he’s got time for that.
4) Better physicality will help his defense. Needs a little work with the footwork, but looks to improve here.

Rovesciarete · Feb 28, 2024

ghostofMecir said:
Lool he plays like Sinner but the ball explodes off of his racket even more. There are very few players ever whose ball just sounds different off the racket and Fonseca is one of them. I remember seeing Mark Philippoussis at the USO in 1995 for the first time and the sound the ball made coming off his racket was like Thunder. Fonseca hits so cleanly but also with so much power.

1) Isn’t even 18 yet and has physical maturing to do. Looks like he could be about 6’2 maybe even 6’2.5 when done growing. He also has a nice frame so looks like he can add lean muscle while losing the baby fat.
2) The serve can get a LOT better.
3) Forecourt game and net play can improve a great deal, but he’s got time for that.
4) Better physicality will help his defense. Needs a little work with the footwork, but looks to improve here.

Good points, his favourite stroke is unsurprisingly the forehand...

I'm no expert but he strikes me as fairly mature for his age, we will see. Clay gives him more time to unload but he hasn't been bad on the harder stuff.

Would be huge for the tour to have a star from South America, especially a Brazilian!

Kralingen · Feb 28, 2024

Fonseca is cooking with gasoline. The problem is that it blows up in his face every other point. But once he controls it… oh my.

FrankyRelax · Feb 29, 2024

No surprise here but he has officially decommitted from UVA and is going full pro

Deleted member 806402 · Mar 2, 2024

Waiting for tournaments to grant JOAO a wild card.

Deleted member 806402 · Apr 7, 2024

WATCH: Novak Djokovic makes bold Carlos Alcaraz, Joao Fonseca and Alexander Zverev predictions

It's time for the clay-court swing and some of the top men's players, including world No 1 Novak Djokovic, have looked into their crystal ball to make some predictions for the red dirt campaign.

www.tennis365.com

Q: Who will be the dark horse on clay?

Djokovic: “Fonseca the Brazilian. I saw him play. He plays really well. He reminds me of my game.”

Djoker knows what's up!!!

GRASScaraz · Apr 8, 2024

He's playing Madrid Challenger then maybe Madrid Masters

GRASScaraz · Apr 10, 2024

Just got a wildcard for Romania 250. Mannarino top seed there. Big opportunity.

Deleted member 806402 · May 8, 2024

If Joga Bonito isn't accepted to play the RG qualies, I'm not watching the tournament.

GRASScaraz · May 8, 2024

Nuclear Warhead Sinner said:
If Joga Bonito isn't accepted to play the RG qualies, I'm not watching the tournament.

He is entered in some events.
Geneva or Lyon 250s (needs WC)
Or some other challenger

FrankyRelax · May 8, 2024

I think he will get a main draw WC if not a Qualy wc

vokazu · Dec 8, 2024

Wait, is Tomic ranked higher than Fonseca now? How?

Shaolin · Dec 8, 2024

vokazu said:
Wait, is Tomic ranked higher than Fonseca now? How?

Fonseca been kicking back since his big wins against Fils/Garin in February. Thinks he won the CYGS.

Lleytonstation · Dec 8, 2024

Is this guy still a thing?

MarkyMark · Dec 22, 2024

Um yep

TennisBro · Dec 22, 2024

This is an amazing, still ITF junior for a few days, tennis player. All tennis fans should be excited; all ATP tennis players concerned.

alden · Dec 23, 2024

Sinner and Raducanu followed him on Instagram today

socallefty · Dec 23, 2024

He will have arrived when the commentators learn to pronounce his first name properly.

3loudboys · Dec 23, 2024

Ranked 730 in Jan and now 145. He only turned 18 in August which makes his rise all the more impressive. Fantastic talent.

TennisBro · Dec 24, 2024

3loudboys said:
Ranked 730 in Jan and now 145. He only turned 18 in August which makes his rise all the more impressive. Fantastic talent.

To my knowledge, Joao was ranked at 1,200 in ATP rankings in February this year. I recall him being signed into one of those M25 Futures in Brazil that was played in, I think, March. He was a qualifier in the Acceptance list and I know for my son was in at the end of qualifying list there. He cancelled that M25 for he played the ATP 500 in Brazil in which he ended up in quarterfinals which was his start to the ascend then. Not that I disagree with you; this youngster is the future of tennis and most likely will join Alcaraz and Sinner at the top very soon.

Shaolin · Dec 24, 2024

socallefty said:
He will have arrived when the commentators learn to pronounce his first name properly.

They still dont know how to pronounce Rybakina and Tiafoe.

3loudboys · Dec 24, 2024

TennisBro said:
To my knowledge, Joao was ranked at 1,200 in ATP rankings in February this year. I recall him being signed into one of those M25 Futures in Brazil that was played in, I think, March. He was a qualifier in the Acceptance list and I know for my son was in at the end of qualifying list there. He cancelled that M25 for he played the ATP 500 in Brazil in which he ended up in quarterfinals which was his start to the ascend then. Not that I disagree with you; this youngster is the future of tennis and most likely will join Alcaraz and Sinner at the top very soon.

He’s got a great future ahead of him for sure. I took the ranking stats from the ATP site, could be that there were ups and downs between dates published on their site. I think he is Sinneresque in his shot making style and likely to upset the current status quo

Rovesciarete · Dec 24, 2024

His baseline potency stats seemingly fit the eye test, even if the small sample size and low ranking of the opposition can dress them up. A good example of this might be Shang. Still very high numbers for the Brazilian from both wings and a very nice trend line toward 10+ points.

We have always a surface bias, but the very short rally length indicates that he makes very good use of his weapons. The potency/100 of 16.2 underlines how much of his point pool is won by ground strokes. While his serve isn’t great he has a positive 1-3 win percentage, compare that to Shang, Cerundolo or Tiafoe.

To sum it up, some of his numbers should come down when facing more of the big boys, but they are very promising indeed.

Updated weekly(ish). Last update: 2024-12-23

Player	Matches	RallyLen	RLen-Serve	RLen-Return	1-3 W%	4-6 W%	7-9 W%	10+ W%	FH/GS	BH Slice%	FHP/Match	FHP/100	BHP/Match	BHP/100
Andrey Rublev	39	3.7	3.8	3.5	51.0%	52.7%	57.5%	51.9%	53.8%	8.1%	16.8	14.0	2.5	2.5
Juncheng Shang	10	4.5	4.7	4.3	48.2%	48.1%	54.4%	55.9%	57.6%	8.6%	13.3	8.6	3.6	3.3
Jannik Sinner	65	4.2	4.1	4.3	54.6%	57.2%	54.5%	56.3%	51.1%	7.3%	12.8	9.4	6.3	4.9
Carlos Alcaraz	53	4.0	3.9	4.1	52.3%	55.8%	54.8%	57.0%	52.9%	17.8%	12.6	10.8	2.3	2.4
Novak Djokovic	40	4.6	4.3	4.8	54.5%	56.1%	54.0%	52.8%	49.4%	15.4%	12.4	8.6	7.9	6.1
Stefanos Tsitsipas	30	3.9	3.7	4.1	51.3%	49.5%	50.0%	52.3%	52.8%	21.5%	11.5	11.0	-1.6	-2.1
Rafael Nadal	12	4.8	4.9	4.7	49.0%	50.5%	51.4%	54.8%	55.0%	9.9%	11.0	7.6	1.0	1.0
Casper Ruud	35	4.2	4.2	4.2	52.0%	52.1%	47.8%	49.0%	53.8%	15.1%	11.0	9.2	0.4	0.4
Joao Fonseca	10	3.7	3.7	3.7	53.3%	55.3%	58.3%	61.0%	54.4%	17.5%	10.8	11.3	3.9	5.2
Francisco Cerundolo	10	4.8	4.7	4.8	46.0%	50.0%	46.3%	53.5%	50.6%	10.3%	9.4	6.1	-1.3	-0.8
Jan Lennard Struff	16	3.3	3.2	3.3	50.8%	52.1%	50.0%	52.1%	47.9%	11.0%	9.3	11.6	0.1	0.1
Lorenzo Musetti	34	4.5	4.6	4.3	50.6%	50.7%	49.2%	50.8%	49.6%	39.4%	9.1	6.6	2.4	2.5
Frances Tiafoe	14	3.9	4.0	3.7	48.7%	49.8%	54.6%	49.5%	49.4%	12.6%	8.9	7.5	2.1	1.8

FrankyRelax · Jan 14, 2025

Our boy is looking like a shoo in for the 4th round Aussie

aldeayeah · Jan 14, 2025

Rovesciarete said:
His baseline potency stats seemingly fit the eye test, even if the small sample size and low ranking of the opposition can dress them up. A good example of this might be Shang. Still very high numbers for the Brazilian from both wings and a very nice trend line toward 10+ points.

We have always a surface bias, but the very short rally length indicates that he makes very good use of his weapons. The potency/100 of 16.2 underlines how much of his point pool is won by ground strokes. While his serve isn’t great he has a positive 1-3 win percentage, compare that to Shang, Cerundolo or Tiafoe.

To sum it up, some of his numbers should come down when facing more of the big boys, but they are very promising indeed.

Updated weekly(ish). Last update: 2024-12-23

Player
Matches
RallyLen
RLen-Serve
RLen-Return
1-3 W%
4-6 W%
7-9 W%
10+ W%
FH/GS
BH Slice%
FHP/Match
FHP/100
BHP/Match
BHP/100
Andrey Rublev
39
3.7
3.8
3.5
51.0%
52.7%
57.5%
51.9%
53.8%
8.1%
16.8
14.0
2.5
2.5
Juncheng Shang
10
4.5
4.7
4.3
48.2%
48.1%
54.4%
55.9%
57.6%
8.6%
13.3
8.6
3.6
3.3
Jannik Sinner
65
4.2
4.1
4.3
54.6%
57.2%
54.5%
56.3%
51.1%
7.3%
12.8
9.4
6.3
4.9
Carlos Alcaraz
53
4.0
3.9
4.1
52.3%
55.8%
54.8%
57.0%
52.9%
17.8%
12.6
10.8
2.3
2.4
Novak Djokovic
40
4.6
4.3
4.8
54.5%
56.1%
54.0%
52.8%
49.4%
15.4%
12.4
8.6
7.9
6.1
Stefanos Tsitsipas
30
3.9
3.7
4.1
51.3%
49.5%
50.0%
52.3%
52.8%
21.5%
11.5
11.0
-1.6
-2.1
Rafael Nadal
12
4.8
4.9
4.7
49.0%
50.5%
51.4%
54.8%
55.0%
9.9%
11.0
7.6
1.0
1.0
Casper Ruud
35
4.2
4.2
4.2
52.0%
52.1%
47.8%
49.0%
53.8%
15.1%
11.0
9.2
0.4
0.4
Joao Fonseca
10
3.7
3.7
3.7
53.3%
55.3%
58.3%
61.0%
54.4%
17.5%
10.8
11.3
3.9
5.2
Francisco Cerundolo
10
4.8
4.7
4.8
46.0%
50.0%
46.3%
53.5%
50.6%
10.3%
9.4
6.1
-1.3
-0.8
Jan Lennard Struff
16
3.3
3.2
3.3
50.8%
52.1%
50.0%
52.1%
47.9%
11.0%
9.3
11.6
0.1
0.1
Lorenzo Musetti
34
4.5
4.6
4.3
50.6%
50.7%
49.2%
50.8%
49.6%
39.4%
9.1
6.6
2.4
2.5
Frances Tiafoe
14
3.9
4.0
3.7
48.7%
49.8%
54.6%
49.5%
49.4%
12.6%
8.9
7.5
2.1
1.8

His serve looked pretty good vs Rublev, although that might not be the stiffest test. Still it looks at least top 50-worthy.

Carax · Jan 14, 2025

The new kids on the block are here to stay. Fonseca is on the right track.

MrFlip · Feb 13, 2025

Looking good. Looking a lot more promising than Holger

norcal · Feb 13, 2025

MrFlip said:
Looking good. Looking a lot more promising than Holger

His game looks really sound, no glaring technical deficiencies like Holger's FH. Kid certainly has no problems hitting through the clay!

nolefam_2024 · Feb 13, 2025

MrFlip said:
Looking good. Looking a lot more promising than Holger

Yes. He will be much better than Rune. We are in power era now.

22-and-unders (outside of Alcaraz) Which players are you highest on?

Many of you may follow the up-and-comers more than I do, but of course, some of these players have already had some success. So, looking at the arbitrary cutoff age 22 (today), what are your thoughts about who will have the best careers out of the following? I just listed the guys in the top...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

nolefam_2024 · Feb 13, 2025

norcal said:
His game looks really sound, no glaring technical deficiencies like Holger's FH. Kid certainly has no problems hitting through the clay!

Exactly. In power era without big forehand , you are playing losing battle.

FrankyRelax · Feb 13, 2025

I'm liking a Zverev Fonseca championship in BA. Juicy matchup

Shaolin · Feb 13, 2025

FrankyRelax said:
I'm liking a Zverev Fonseca championship in BA. Juicy matchup

I'd rather see Zod lose to Cerundolo next round.

Fonseca winning the tournament would be great though.

BallisticMissileFonseca · Feb 13, 2025

FrankyRelax said:
I'm liking a Zverev Fonseca championship in BA. Juicy matchup

fonseca clay sweep? or am I too greedy

MrFlip · Feb 14, 2025

I think Fonseca will be the missing key to balance out Sinner and Alcaraz. Someone to bring consistency and firepower.

DSH · Feb 14, 2025

FrankyRelax said:
Sure I'll join another Fonseca hype thread

Lavs · Feb 14, 2025

Huge win today in quarter against Navone in Argentina Open. Saved one match point and seal the deal on a class.
I guess he is not very welcomed as he ruined third argentinian in a row

Here we go - First ATP Semi

Tallawah Tennis · Feb 14, 2025

Joao Fonseca defeats Mariano Navone in Buenos Aires thriller | ATP Tour | Tennis

Joao Fonseca’s fighting spirit was on full display on Friday at the IEB+ Argentina Open in Buenos Aires.

www.atptour.com

Sudacafan · Feb 14, 2025

Lavs said:
Huge win today in quarter against Navone in Argentina Open. Saved one match point and seal the deal on a class.
I guess he is not very welcomed as he ruined third argentinian in a row
Here we go - First ATP Semi

Actually Fonseca saved 2MP's on his own serve. He served 4-5 15/40 in the third set.
Fonseca won the last four games of the match, taking the final set by 7/5.

MrFlip · Feb 15, 2025

Fonseca has more weapons in his arsenal than Alcaraz. Lacks speed and defence though.
Get him riding confidence and leaning into hit shots he can take anyone out.

Lavs · Feb 15, 2025

MrFlip said:
Fonseca has more weapons in his arsenal than Alcaraz. Lacks speed and defence though.
Get him riding confidence and leaning into hit shots he can take anyone out.

Absolutely. I would compare him with Carlitos, just like I comprared Roger with Rafa back in the day - more attacking and sharpness to the game versus speed, athleticism and good defence

BallisticMissileFonseca · Feb 16, 2025

Can’t wait for the first Fonseca vs Alcaraz match ❤️
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) February 16, 2025

Vincent-C · Feb 16, 2025

Joao to toast Tiny?

Jonesy · Feb 16, 2025

Vincent-C said:
Joao to toast Tiny?

Depends on little John height. All i know is that he has some of that Wawrinka extra flab that is the secret to his power.

buscemi · Feb 16, 2025

The future is now.

The future is Joao:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1891231058894438474

Kralingen · Feb 16, 2025

Jonesy said:
Depends on little John height. All i know is that he has some of that Wawrinka extra flab that is the secret to his power.

The Wawrinka comp is so obvious it hurts

Vincent-C · Feb 16, 2025

buscemi said:
The future is now.

The future is Joao:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1891231058894438474

Kid's going places..

Zardoz7/12 · Feb 16, 2025

I think that Brazil has a Male Tennis star on their hands and since Kuerten they had Bellucci but despite his talent you never saw him winning slams as I do with Fonseca.

I remember Andre Sa and Fernando Meligeni.

The Guru · Feb 16, 2025

Kralingen said:
The Wawrinka comp is so obvious it hurts

Never thought about it but that is a good comp. Fonseca has more potential taking the ball early and on return but obviously has a long long way to go to get anywhere near Stan's quality on serve and that's gonna be the biggest thing for his development.

Clemson_tennis · Feb 16, 2025

Brazil having a top male player is fantastic for the ATP. They are a massive country of very passionate sports fans

Joao Fonseca!!!

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Q: Who will be the dark horse on clay?